Of Blood Transfusions and Feeding Tubes: Anorexia Nervosa and Consent

Individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa experience dysmorphic perceptions of their body and desire to act on these perceptions by refusing food. In some cases, anorexics want to refuse food to the point of death. This paper explores the following question: If an anorexic, A, wants to refuse food when the food would either be lifesaving or prevent serious bodily harm, can A's refusal be valid? It is shown that there is compelling reason to think that anorexics can validly refuse food, even in these extreme circumstances.